Lagos State Government has taken a significant step toward advancing disability inclusion with the receipt of 88 specialised pediatric wheelchairs and other assistive devices from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Some of the donations also included 225 crutches, 360 eyeglasses, and play materials tailored to meet the needs of children with disabilities across the state.
The official handover ceremony, held at the Lagos State Medical Store in Oshodi, brought together government officials, development partners, and caregivers committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
The donation forms part of ongoing efforts under the Build A World of Play (BAWOP) programme and the Early Pathway to Inclusive Care (EPIC) framework, both designed to strengthen early identification, intervention, and support systems for children in Lagos.
In her keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dayo Lajide, represented by the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Ismail Abdus-Salam, said the ceremony underscored the government’s commitment to inclusive care, noting that every child deserves dignity, inclusion, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Lajide described the donation as both timely and impactful, explaining that assistive devices go beyond mobility to enable children to sit upright, interact with peers, and participate more fully in school and daily activities.
She further explained that the initiative aligns with the BAWOP programme and the state’s EPIC framework, which link schools, healthcare facilities, and communities to ensure early detection and proper referrals for children with developmental challenges.
Receiving the items on behalf of the state, Lajide assured that the devices would be responsibly distributed to children most in need, adding that the partnership with CHAI would continue to drive inclusive health system reforms.
Speaking for CHAI, Chizoba Fashanu highlighted the organisation’s long-standing collaboration with Lagos State and its focus on early screening, assistive technologies, and play-based interventions.
Other stakeholders, including officials from the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, emphasised that disability inclusion is a fundamental human right and that early interventions are critical to improving outcomes.
